Mary Jane Sanborn

Mary Jane Sanborn, 95, of Pine Island, MN, formerly of Ortonville, died on July 28, 2016.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 4, 2016, beginning at 11 a.m. at First English Lutheran Church, with Rev. Robert Dahl officiating.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Burial will take place at Mound Cemetery.

Mary Jane Sanborn was born May 19, 1921, in Ortonville, MN to Jay C. and Bergliot (Reppe) Sanborn. She was baptized and confirmed at First English Lutheran Church. Mary Jane attended Ortonville schools, graduated from high school, and then attended St Olaf College, graduating in 1943. She later received her Masters Degree from the University of MN. After teaching in Braham, MN for several years, Mary Jane returned to Ortonville and assumed the responsibility of running the family household along with teaching Home Economics at Ortonville High School.

Mary Jane’s love for art lead her to travel and take rosemaling classes from noted Norwegian artists at the Vesterheim in Decorah, Iowa. Her needlework, baking, and painting skills were shared with students in high school and through community education. Mary Jane was active in church, singing in choir, teaching Sunday School, Day of Love activities, and her circle. She enjoyed gardening, collecting antiques, playing bridge and traveling. Mary Jane lived in the family home until shortly after her 90th birthday, at which time she moved to Northridge Residence. In 2014 she moved to Pine Haven Care Center in Pine Island, MN to be closer to family.

Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Lois. She is survived by her two sisters: Francis Poggendorf of Kenosha, WI, and Barbara Rhodine of Colorado Springs, CO; her brother Bill (Joanne) Sanborn of Pine Island, MN; nephews: Brent and Craig Rhodine, Rick and Rob Poggendorf, Tim, Jay and Jon Sanborn; and nieces: Susan Ward, Christine Sanborn and Jennifer Kujath.